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They called police, but it was already too late

More and more Iowans are falling victim to phone calls claiming a family member is in trouble and needs money.

Betty Jones is a typical grandmother who would do anything to help her family.

"Well, my mom got a phone call and they said they had her grandson in custody," said Cindy Jones.

Sensing something was wrong, Betty put Cindy on the phone.

"It was in Panama City, Panama, and that they could get him back on a plane home right away if we would wire them $2,812," said Cindy Jones.

A couple days earlier, Betty's grandson said he was going on a trip, but she didn't know where.

"The common denominator with a lot of these cases are they all involve asking the victims to wire money overseas for one reason or another," said Sgt. Jason Halifax, Des Moines police spokesman.

The family went ahead and wired the money. It was picked up within 15 minutes.

The grandson was safe, but it had nothing to do with the wire transfer. A relative let Betty and Cindy know the grandson was actually in Des Moines.

"I tried to stop the Moneygram, but they already picked it up," said Cindy Jones.

The family called police, but it was too late.

"The bank has already sent that money overseas. That money is gone now," said Halifax.

Police said the only way to make sure your money is not lost is to never send it in the first place.

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